Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-07-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our regular correspondcnt)

WASHINGTON, July IL, 1887.
The salutary effects of the lessons taught
by the recent exposure of the rascalities of
Bacon in the Patent office, and Harvey inthe
Treasury, are perceptible in many ways.
The heads of the Bureaus are more diligent
and viligent as we'll rs eXacting regarding
the method of conducting the public bust
ness, and the clerks appreciate the state of
affairs by increased activity and thorough
ness in performing their allotted tasks. In
ali the Departments there is an ill-conccaled
feeling of apprehension, not 10 say suspense,
as to what n day may bring forth, and your
correspondent feels safe in predicting that
the end is not yet-that others in high plac-
es are covering in abiect fear of an Impair
tial Investigation of their doin ngs-realizing
that the result would he ruinous TO them.
| have good reason to believe that n general
but quiet examination of the accounts of all
disbursing officers is be ing made by direc-
ton of no less IN authority than the Presi-
dent himself.
Postmaster General Villas was partly en-
gagged this week in much needed work of re-
vising the postal regulations, which have
not been amended since 1877 The Post
master General also found time to reply, in
the negative to the postal clerk, asking per-
mission to hold n convention TO discuss the
needs of the service, and advising them that
the proper way to secure those aims and
ends would be to make such suggestions to
the Departm ent as might occur TO them in
the practical performance of their duties.
Up to the present this month, Govern
mcnt receipts amount TO about 81. 900, 900,
and the expenditures, inclusive of ST., ,000-
00O in pensions, to SIS, DOL, ,102 making an
enormous excess of disbursements over re-
ceipts 1t is estimated that the receipts for
the balance of the month will be 81 900, 600
n day, and that the expenditures will be
fully as large. The total amount of bonds
redeemed under the call, which matured
July lst, is $4,000, go, leaving still out
standing of the call 81 ,626 656 the whole n
mount of called bonds notwithstanding is
s., 300, 40. At present the Treasury finds
itself unable to supply the heavy demand
for notes of small denominations, but orders
have been issued to do SO as soon as practic-
able.
To prove that President Cleveland, who
has probably received more abuse and adj
verse criticism from the soldiers than any
of his predecessors, is really their best
friend, having done better by them than
any other President, it is only necessary to
refer to the records of the Pension Office.
During the first two years of his term,
President Cleveland has approved S63
private pension bills, Gen. Grant in eight
years. only approved 4S5, Hayes in four
Year,, 30i and Garfield and Arthur but 736
in the same time. In addition to this Presi-
dent Cleveland has approved three general
pension bills-March 18th, 1886, increasing
TO twelve dollars the pensions of 79,7S7
widows minors and independent relatives of
Union soldiers: August 4th, 1885, the pen
sions of 10,030 infirm and manned Union
soldiers Of the civil war from S2i to $50 to
36, and from S36 to S37 80 to S45 per month.
The act of Jan. 27th 1887, which has alread-
y placed upon the pension rolls S,455 sur
viyors of the Mexican War and their wild
ows, and during the present fiscal year that
number will be increased at least $4,000.
The Pension Office records democrats be-
yond the shade of doubt, the assertion of
Republican correspondents to the contrary
Notwithstanding, that 13l, $50 more certifi-
Gates OF pension were issued during the first
two years of Democratic Administration
than during the last two years of Republi
cdH COhJIOl. Anu uuIlhS JHc Bdlllc tlille INC
sum distributed to pensioners by the Demo
Gratis exceeds by S16.617, OPS, 90 the amount
distributed by the Republicans for the
same purpose and time. 1t is also suscepti-
Bile of proof that in the matter of new mann
es added to the pension list, the Cleveland
Administration is 10, 408 names ahead of the
last two years of the Republican regime.
Such strong Arguments as these are suffi-
cient to put TO shame the Republican charge
that President Clevelandand the Democracy
are unfriendly to soldiers in the Union.